Apparatus for passing materials therethrough in a pressure-tight manner, especially textiles in the form of wide webs and also in the form of strands



Sept. 26, 1967 H. DUIS ETAL 3,343,379

' APPARATUS FOR PASSING MATERIALS THERETHROUGH IN A PRESSURE-TIGHT MANNER, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES IN THE FORM OF WIDE WEBS AND ALSO IN THE FORM OF STRANDS Fig.7

Filed April 8, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fier-A/ara Jar; Pe/er of-min, BY

APPARATUS FOR PASSI NG MATERIALS THERETHROUGH IN A Sept. 26, 1967 H DUIS :ETAL I 3,343,379

PRESSURE-TIGHT MANNER, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES IN THE FORM OF WIDE WEBS AND ALSO IN THE FORM OF:STRANDS o 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F F iled- April 8, 19 4 INVENTORS Sept. 26; 1967 I H. DUIS ETAL 3,343,379 APPARATUS FOR PASSING MATERIALS THERETHROUGH IN A PRESSURE-TIGHT MANNER, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES IN THE FORM OF WIDE WEBS AND ALSO IN THE FORM 0F STRANDS v 3 Filed April 8, 1964 5 sheetysheet 5 y 6 30 I i 3c! 5 iigl i I 5 3 1 I4 I n 1% W9 I H i a I J I Q I Rig 3 1 "1 1| W u u i v V I v 2 22 3a 22 30 Fig. 7 I

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United States Patent 3,343,379 APPARATUS FOR PASSING MATERIALS THERE- THROUGH IN A PRESSURE-TIGHT MANNER, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES IN THE FORM OF WIDE WEBS AND ALSO IN THE FORM OF STRANDS Herward Duis and Peter Lopata, Krefeld-Urdingen, Germany, assignors to Job. Kleinewefers Siihne, Krefeld, Germany Filed Apr. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 358,251 Claims priority, application Germany, May 11, 1963, K 49,717, K 49,718 Claims. (Cl. 68-5) The present invention relates to a device for passing materials in a pressure-tight manner therethrough, especially textiles in the form of wide webs and also in the form of strands. More specifically, the material is passed either through a container closed on all sides and filled with gases or liquids, the inner pressure of said container differing from the pressure of the air surrounding said container, or it is passed through tanks or vats open at one side and filled with a liquid for'treating the material being passed therethrough.

According to various methods of treating materials, especially textiles, it is necessary to subject the goods, which are in the form of a wide web or in the form of strands, for a short period to the effect of a liquid or gas in the treatment container. Such processing may with textiles consist for instance in a bleaching operation in which higher pressures and also temperatures exceeding 100 C. are employed. According to the heretofore known bleaching process with peroxide or chlorine compounds, the treatment takes place in an extremely fast reaction so that the process may be carried out in a continuous manner without any material standstill of the goods being treated. It is for carrying out such continuously effected operations in a container that the present invention is intended.

Inasmuch as heretofore no safe and durable devices have been known for solving the problem of passing any desired materials in a pressure-tight manner through such treatment containers or chambers, the continuous pressure-bleaching method has not been adopted to any material extent in the corresponding industry.

The heretofore known devices of the general type involved comprise primarily rotating elastic rollers which are pressed against each other and between which the goods are passed in great width. The reason why devices of this type have not proved successful is due to the fact that the rollers do not remain in tight contact with each other near their end faces, and also the seal of the rollers with regard to the stationary parts of the device fails prematurely.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for passing materials therethrough, especially textiles in the form of a wide web or in the form of strands, which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the preceding paragraph which will not only be simple and relatively inexpensive in construction but will above all assure an absolute seal where necessary.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus as outlined in the preceding paragraphs which may be used for textiles and also for various other materials in the form of wide webs or in the form of strands,

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specication in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates partly in side view and partly in section a device according to the present invention for passing materials in a pressure-tight manner through a treatment chamber which is closed on all sides.

FIG. 2 illustrates in section a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention, in which the sealing strips are formed by sealing diaphragms which confine pressure chambers the air pressure of which is controlled by pressure reducing means in conformity with the pressure of the pressure chamber.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of a top view of the device according to FIG. 2 in which a Web is passed through the treatment chamber.

FIG. 4 represents a similar top view as FIG. 3 but showing instead of a web a strand being passed through the device.

FIG. 5 is a section through still another modification according to the invention in which the web is introduced and discharged at the same part of the device and which has an additional liquid containing vessel mounted thereon for absorbing harmful vapors.

FIG. 6 is a section through a portion of the device on a larger scale than in the preceding figures and shows the sliding foil so designed that it will be able to replace the effect of the sealing diaphragm.

FIG. 7 is a section through a device according to the invention in which the sealing diaphragms are designed as pressure hoses which in pairs individually or a plurality of times are arranged in the sealing strips within the sliding foil.

The present invention is characterized primarily in'that the opening through which the material to be treated passes is closed by two sealing strips which are pressed against each other under an elastic pressure and which sealingly engage the material being passed therethrough as well as the adjacent surface of the device and which are covered by sliding foil means which have only a low friction with regard to the material being passed through the device.

In order, when employing gases which are harmful to the present invention, above the entrance opening of the.

processing tank, there is provided a container with liquid which will absorb the harmful gases escaping from said tank. When the invention is to be practiced in connection with a vat which is open at the top, the lower discharge opening is in conformity with the present invention sealed by one or more pairs of pressure hoses between which the processed material passes over the sliding foil.

The elastic pressure exerted upon the sealing strips is preferably produced pneumatically. The particular advantage of such an arrangement consists not only in a simple structure but also in that the devices of the type involved can be designed for maximum width of the goods while the pressure exerted by thesealing strips will be absolutely constant over the entire width. This' Referring now to the drawings .in detail and FIG. 1

thereof in particular, the arrangement diagrammatically illustrates a treatment chamber 1 through which a web 10 of material is passed in a pressure-tight'manner by means of a device according to the present invention. The device according to the present invention, is shown in section and may be in the form of different structures.

According to FIG. 2, which shows the device according to the invention on a considerably larger scale than that of FIG. 1, the treatment chamber 1 is provided with an opening 2 the length of which corresponds to the width of the goods to be passed through the treatment chamber. Above the said opening 2 there is arranged a holding device 3 which in the specific structure of FIG. 2 is formed of upper and lower plates 3a and blocks 5. These plates 3a are provided with two slots 4 at the top and bottom through which the web 10 of material is passed. At each side of the web 10 there is provided a block 5 and sealing strips 6. The sealing strips form pressure chambers 19 which are covered by the sealing diaphragms 6 and sliding foils 7. Compressed air is conveyed to the chambers through bores 23 located at the end faces of the sealing strips and through bores 24 transverse to the pressure chambers 19. FIGURE 2 illustrates how with this arrangement the actuating compressed air introduced through a compressed air conduit 25 is passed through a pressure reducer 26 which is adapted by means of a conduit 27 communicating with the interior of the treatment chamber 1 to be throttled in such a way that the actuating pressure will always be slightly higher than the pressure within the treatment chamber 1. Clamping of sealing strips 6 and foils 7 is effected by means of the counter-plates 3a and screws 22, the block 5 being screwed in a pressure-tight manner to the container 1 by means of screws 22. If desired, it is possible to actuate the pressure chambers by means of gases or liquids. In view of the elastic deformation of the sealing strips, they will sealingly engage the material being passed there- ;hrough. A foam material may be used e.g. polyurethane- In conformity with a further feature of the invention, the sliding foil may consist of a fluorized synthetic material, such as e.g. polytetrafiuoroethylene. When employing heat and acid resistant materials for the sliding foil, the treatment operations may be carried out under extreme conditions. According to a further feature of the invention, the sliding foil may also consist of suitable metals, such as a very thin stainless steel sheet.

The goods to be treated and introduced into the treatment chamber 1 are passed between the two sealing strips which, as mentioned above, are pressed toward each other under the required sealing pressure. In this connection it should be noted that a relatively low pressure will suffice for this purpose. Experience has shown that when employing purely pneumatic sealing strips, the pressure has to be only slightly above the inner pressure in the treatment chamber 1, for instance by 0.1 to 0.6 atmosphere, in order to assure a sufficient seal. Simultaneously, the friction resistance of the sliding foil with regard to the goods being passed therethrough will be at a minimum. The pressure at which the sealing strips are pressed against each other may be adjusted in conformity with the desired sealing pressure and may be made dependent on the inner pressure of the container into which the goods are introduced and from which the goods are discharged.

According to a further feature of the invention, the sealing strips in addition to being subjected to spring pressure or the pressure in the pressure chambers, may also communicate with the interior of the treatment chamber in which a pressure prevails which is higher than the pressure at those places where the goods are introduced into the treatment chamber.

According to a further important feature of the present invention, the sealing strips may be designed as pressure chambers with a sealing diaphragm which are pressed against each other pneumatically or hydraulically. The force at which these sealing strips are pressed against each other may likewise be dependent on the pressure in the interior of the treatment chamber. However, if desired, the pressure chambers may be acted upon by the pressure difference between the pressure in the treatment chamber and the surrounding air. In view of the rather smallpressure loss between the sealing strips, such pressure difference will sufiice to assure a satisfactory sealing effect when the goods are being treated by gases.

In order to cool the device according to the invention,

the liquid employed for producing the hydraulic sealing pressure may at the same time be employed as cooling medium.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an arrangement according to FIG. 2. In this connection it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the illustrated details but also comprises arrangements in which the sealing of the sliding foils 7 and the design of the sealing strips varies. Important in this connection is merely that the sealing strips or sealing diaphragms of the pneumatic sealing strips will, when inflated, seal the entrance opening 2 also at the ends protruding beyond the width of the goods against the air surrounding the treatment chamber 1.

FIG. 4 likewise shows an arrangement according to the present invention with two sealing strips. However, this arrangement shows a considerably shorter passage for a strand 11 of the goods to be treated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a section through a device according to the invention for the introduction and discharge of a web 10 into and from a treatment chamber 1 which is designed in conformity with the principle of FIG. 4. However, in this instance, the pressure upon the pressure chambers 19 is effected not by compressed air but by a cooling liquid which, of course, has to be under an adjustable pressure. According to this arrangement, the intermediate member 29 for receiving the pressing forces rests upon a strong web member 30. As shown in FIG. 8, all embodiments may additionally be provided with a container 28 for a liquid adapted to absorb any gases which may escape from the pressure chamber as for instance steam or aggressive gases. Container 28 may be filled with various types of liquids, as for instance dye liquor or an other treatment-liquid.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pneumatic arrangement according to the invention which likewise follows the principle set forth above in connection with FIG. 4. According to FIG. 9, the sealing strips 5 which are connected to strong reinforcing profiles 31 are additionally provided with cooling passages 32 for cooling the entire device. Compressed air is conveyed to the pressure chambers 19 through bores 17 similar to the arrangement described above in connection with the other embodiments of the invention.

' A still further feature of the present invention consists in designing the sealing diaphragms in the form of pressure hoses which in pairs, in single or multiple layers are arranged in the sealing strips within the sliding foil. In this connection it is possible that when employing a plurality of pairs of pressure hoses, the pressure in said hoses may increase or decrease in the direction of movement of the material being treated in the treatment chamber. If desired, additional cooling chambers may be provided between the pressure hoses.

Such an arrangement is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 7. As will be evident from FIG. 7, a plurality of pairs of pressure hoses 33 are mounted in grooves 34 of the intermediate members 3b. The pressure hoses 33 are at one side thereof covered by a sliding foil 7 common to all of the pressure hoses on one and the same side. The sliding foils 7 are 'held in a pressure-tight manner against the intermediate members 3b by counter-plates 3a of the holding device 3. The pressure hoses 33 may be subjected to different pressures so that for instance the lower pressure hoses may have a higher pressure than the upper pressure hoses. This would correspond to the decrease in the pressure from the inside of the pressure chamber in the direction toward the outside. The sliding foils 7 and the pressure hoses 33 are cooled by a cooling liquid which is circulated through bores 35 and 36, around the pressure hoses 33 and through cooling chambers 37.

As will be evident from the above, the present invention yields the advantage of a simple and low cost construction and of a simple passage for the goods to be treated. Thus, for instance, it is also possible to introduce the goods at the bottom of a treatment chamber.

As Will also be evident from the above, the present invention makes it possible to pass endless goods through liquid containing vessels, for instance for impregnating or dyeing goods, with or without over-pressure. By selecting the material from which the device according to the present invention is made, the device may be employed for other materials than textiles, as for instance synthetic foils or metal foils, which are to be treated for instance in chambers containing reactive gases. The goods may be treated under a protective gas atmosphere or in a vacuum while passing through the treatment chamber in a continuous movement.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular embodiments referred to above, but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the invention also covers arrangements in which a very thin web of material is passed between media of different pressures or between different media of the same or diflerent pressure.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus comprising a container with an inlet passage and an outlet passage for continuously fluid treating materials in the form of webs and also in the form of strands, especially textiles, which includes: means to maintain the pressure in said container greater than atmospheric and sealing means arranged at least at one of said passages for the passage t'herethrough of said materials to be treated, said sealing means respectively including pressure chamber means and sealing diaphragm means arranged in opposed relation, said pressure chamber means when supplied with fluid pressure moving said diaphragm means into face to face engagement, each said diaphragm means comprising a relatively thin flexible element of prismatic shape having a relatively large surface, the surface of each of said diaphragm means which engage each other having a relatively thin temperature resistant, friction reducing covering thereon, means for conveying fluid pressure to said chamber and constituting means for urging those portions of said diaphragm means which face each other toward each other to thereby slidably and sealingly engage material being passed therebetween, said means for conveying fluid pressure comprising means to carry fluid to said chamber means at a pressure slightly greater than the pressure in said container also comprising means operable to vary the pressure of the fluid conveyed to said chamber means under control of variations in pressure in said container to maintain said pressure in said chamber means higher than in said container.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which a well is provided at at least one of said passages formed by a wall upstanding about said one of said passages, said well being adapted to contain a liquid through which said material passes in addition to passing through said sealing means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means adjacent said diaphragm means for the passage of cooling fluid for cooling said diaphragm means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which a support member is provided for each diaphragm means, each diaphragm means and its support member together forming the pressure chamber means, and means for supplying cooling fluid to a surface of each said support member which is remote from said diaphragm.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said pressure chamber means comprises flexible hose means extending across the diaphragms in engagement with the sides thereof which face away from each other, said hose means extending substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of said material and being substantially parallel to each other.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 in which said hose means comprises a plurality of hose means parallel to each other and spaced in the direction of movement of said material and the fluid pressure conveyed to said hoses by said fluid pressure conveying means progressively increasing from the hoses most remote from the container to the hoses nearest the container.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 in which said hoses are arranged so that each hose behind one diaphra-gm means is in opposed relation to a hose behind the other diaphragm means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 in which means is provided for supplying cooling fluid to the sides of said diaphragm means which face away from each other.

9. An apparatus according to claim 5 in which wall means are provided upstanding about said sealing means to provide a well adapted to receive a liquid through which said material passes in addition to passing through said sealing means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said friction reducing means is in the form of fluorized synthetic material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,632,760 6/1927 Jones. 2,606,046 8/1952 Bonner et al. 2,708,843 5/1955 Gibson et -al 68-5 2,725,643 12/1955 Ransohofl. 2,873,597 2/1959 Fahringer 685 2,974,512 3/ 1961 Carter 68-5 2,986,911 6/1961 Jackson 68-5 3,067,602 12/ 1962 Brunt 685 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,429 9/ 1962 Japan.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS COMPRISING A CONTAINER WITH AN INLET PASSAGE AND AN OUTLET PASSAGE FOR CONTINUOUSLY FLUID TREATING MATERIALS IN THE FORM OF WEBS AND ALSO IN THE FORM OF STRANDS, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES, WHICH INCLUDES: MEANS TO MAINTAIN THE PRESSURE IN SAID CONTAINER GREATER THAN ATMOSPHERIC AND SEALING MEANS ARRANGED AT LEAST AT ONE OF SAID PASSAGES FOR THE PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OF SAID MATERIALS TO BE TREATED, SAID SEALING MEANS RESPECTIVELY INCLUDING PRESSURE CHAMBER MEANS AND SEALING DIAPHRAGM MEANS ARRANGED IN OPPOSED RELATION, SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER MEANS WHEN SUPPLIED WITH FLUID PRESSURE MOVING SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS INTO FACE TO FACE ENGAGEMENT, EACH SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS COMPRISING A RELATIVELY THIN FLEXIBLE ELEMENT OF PRISMATIC SHAPE HAVING A RELATIVELY LARGE SURFACE, THE SURFACE OF EACH OF SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS WHICH ENGAGE EACH OTHER HAVING A RELATIVELY THIN TEMPERATURE RESISTANT, FRICTION REDUCING COVERING THEREON, MEANS FOR CONVEYING FLUID PRESSURE TO SAID CHAMBER AND CONSITUTING MEANS FOR URGING THOSE PORTIONS OF SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS WHICH FACE EACH OTHER TOWARD EACH OTHER TO THEREBY SLIDABLY AND SEALINGLY ENGAGE MATERIAL BEING PASSED THEREBETWEEN, SAID MEANS FOR CONVEYING FLUID PRESSURE COMPRISING MEANS TO CARRY FLUID TO SAID CHAMBER MEANS AT A PRESSURE SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE IN SAID CONTAINER ALSO COMPRISING MEANS OPERABLE TO VARY THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID CONVEYED TO SAID CHAMBER MEANS UNDER CONTROL OF VARIATIONS IN PRESSURE IN SAID CONTAINER TO MAINTAIN SAID PRESSURE IN SAID CHAMBER MEANS HIGHER THAN IN SAID CONTAINER. 